Closure



March-27, 1945. H. w. SANFORD CLOSURE I Filed Dec. 24, 1940 a 9 a I Patented Mar. 27,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlC CLOSURE Hugh W. Sanford, Knoxville, Tenn. Application December 24, 1940, Serial No. 371,541

5 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in closures. particularly for bottles, cans, or other receptacles or coupled members, and is a continuation-in-part of my application on Closures, Serial No. 142,251, filed May 12, 1937, now Patent No. 2,276,907, granted March 17, 1942.

It is frequentlly desired to use only a portion of canned or bottles goods, particularly fercarbonated bottle beverages at times have pressures exceeding forty pounds per square inch.

Efforts have been made heretofore without success, to devise a bottle cap that will hold pressure of more than twenty pounds per square inch, that may be removed by hand, without a bottle opener, and yet may be rescaled by hand.

This is the primary object of the present invention.

This invention also has for an object to improve the efiectiveness of the seal of a closure for a container or coupled members, to maintain an air-tight condition of said container or coupled members, either as an original seal or when rescaled after Opening of the container, by the operation of the cap piece pinching a sealing gasket or ring against the neck of the container, so as to produce a check-valve action by the gasket or ring which will utilize the pressure of the fluid acting thereon to maintain the sealing action. This pinching action is effective also to seal and hold liquids when there is no gas pressure on the inside.

Another object of the invention is to provide for effectively sealing up canned or bottled goods, and in the case of liquids under gas pressure, provision is made by which the pressure acts to maintain the seal of the closure for effectively rescaling the-can or bottle after a portion of the contents has been withdrawn. This closure may have provision by which it may be nonrefillable, which is frequentlly desirable in a can, or the closure may be entirely removed when used on a bottle, so as to permit re-use of the bottle by the application of an entirely new closure thereto.

The utilization of the pressure of the fluid in the container or the like to increase and maintain the sealing action or the closure, makes possible the effective sealing and rescaling of the joint between the coupled members independently of the degree of separation thereof, within reasonable limits. The sealing action takes effect so long as the sealing means overlaps the crack between the members, being moved thereover while its opposite side is subjected to the pressure. The sealing action takes effect as soon as the pressure on opposite sides of the sealing means becomes unbalanced. The cap or closure element may be drawn up manually, moving the sealing means into this relation to accomplish the sealing action without the necessity for applying great pressure thereto. Usually the sealing pressure applied by the hand of the operator in screwing up or otherwise coupling the cap member to its connected member will provide for sufilcient sealing action therebetween to hold as much pressure as the container itself will hold, and yet such cap or closure member may be readily unscrewed or uncoupled by hand from its connected part, without the necessity for using tools, wrenches or the like to couple or uncouple the members of the closure.

The invention is shown in difierent embodiments thereof in the accompanying dravn'ng, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the top portion of a bottle, showing one form of this invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View showing a slightly modified form of the invention applied to a bottle;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through a further modified form of the invention shown applied to a can closure; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing another form of closure cap sealed in place on a bottle.

It will be understood that this invention is adapted to be applied to a can, a bottle or other container or coupled member, and that the different embodiments of the invention shown applied on one or the other are not restricted thereto but may be used on either, or between other coupled members where desired.

The invention is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, as applied to a bottle which may be of the character such as is used ordinarily for containing carbonated beverages or other products adapted to be retained under pressure. In these forms, the bottle, which is designated generally at B, is shown as provided with an elongated neck Bl, having an outer open end to form a drinking surface upon removal of the closure. The mouth 65 of the neck BI is formed by a relatively smooth end face or lip B2 that extends continuously in smooth uninterrupted manner throughout the mouth of the container. inwardly from the peripheral surface of the neck portion. The periphery of the neck BI is also formed relatively smooth and uninterrupted, even though formed with an external screw thread B3 to provide an adjustable interlocking connection of the closure on the container. said screw thread B3 is so formed, however, as to provide a peripheral wall surface that is relatively smooth in a circumferential direction.

In Fig. 1, the gasket is formed of composite structure, in which the yieldable or compressible ring 4| is covered and surrounded by a disc 42 which may be formed of wax paper or other thin flexible material which is glued to said ring and also preferably to the cap or closure member 43 which has screw-threaded connection at 44 with the neck of the container. ing gasket or ring 41 eats in a groove B4 in the container neck El and in an indented portion of the cap 43 having a surrounding wall 45 that extends in an outward direction from the end face B2 of the neck Bi. Thus, the gasket 4| is seated between the cap 63 and the neck Bl overlapping the joint or crack 46 between the end face B2 of the neck and the flanged portion of the cap or closure 43. The gasket 4| may be constructed of cork or other soft yieldable material, not necessarily rubber or the like, which will function satisfactorily for the purpose. The use of the disc 42 keeps the beverage in the container out of contact with the cap 43, and thus permits use of a cheaper design of cap, and also of a cork gasket, and yet, by being glued to the gasket and cap, presents a smooth sealing surface over the exit crack between the cap and the container neck. This wax paper or like disc 42 also effectively reduces the possibility of leakage past and above the basket M.

As the cap 43 is screwed into place on the neck portion B! of the container, the gasket 4! will be moved into seating relation with the bottom of the groove or shoulder B4, and thus will be compressed between this groove and the opposed portion of the cap 43 at the indented part thereof. This will cause the gasket 41 to be compressed therebetween by the screwing into place of the cap on the container neck. In this position, the gasket 41 is arranged in spanning relation over the crack 46, overlapping opposite sides of the crack, so that the pressure of the beverage or other contents of the container will act directly against the inner face of the gasket at the opposite side from the crack and press the gasket securely over the crack. This will cause an effective sealing of the crack by the gasket due to the pressure in the container. The shoulder B4 is stepped inwardly from the face B2 on the neck portion, while the indented portion of the cap 43 surrounded by the wall 45, is likewise stepped inwardly from the portion of the cap coacting with the face 32 to form the crack 46, thus pro viding inner stepped portions on opposite sides of the crack that will confine and pinch the gasket therebetween when the cap is adjustably secured on the container, in spanning relation over the crack, in position for action thereon by the pressure in the container.

In Fig. 2, the gasket 5! is shown as substantially L-shaped in cross section and embraces the inner edge of the container neck Bl, within the cap or closure 53, which permits the gasket to seat directly on the upper edge of the container In this form, the sealt 1 neck without requiring a modification of the latter as provided in Fig. 1. In this form, sealing surfaces are provided at 54 and 55 on opposite sides of a crack 55 therebetween, against which the gasket seals under the influence of the gas under pressure in the container. If the gasket 5| is formed of soft resilient material, it may be deformed substantially to the shape shown in Fig. 2, even if initially formed square or rectangular in cross section, merely by screwing the cap piece down tightly on the container, which will deflect a portion thereof to form the sealing surface 55.

In Fig. 3, the invention is show-n as applied to a can structure, the can body being designated generally at A, having a neck portion Al thereon permanently sealed together to form an effective beverage-type receptacle constrution, to hold the desired pressure. At the extreme end of the neck portion AI is formed an inturned bead A2, which extends circumferentially of the open mouth of the container and forms a smooth end wall on the neck portion that may be used as a drinking face. In this form of the invention the gasket 6| is seated on a flange A4, extending inwardly from the end face A2, which flange A4 is inwardly stepped relative to the crack 66 between the face A2 and the adjacent portion of the cap 63. The cap 63 is provided with a channel 64 in which the gasket Si is seated. The gasket covers the crack 66 between the opposed surfaces of the cap 63 and of the container at the upper edge of the latter, and seals thereagainst by the pressure of the flange in the container acting against the outer lower edge portion of the gasket tending to press the same downward against the adjacent sides of the crack. The neck portion Al of the container is provided with an adjustable connection for the cap, preferably in the form of a screw-thread A3, which is smooth in a circumferential direction and forms a relatively smooth peripheral wall surface on the exterior of the neck which will not interfere with drinking directly from the mouth of the container. The threaded portion A3 is adapted for adjustable connection with the screw-threaded skirt 65 that depends from the top portion of the cap 6 I.

It will be obvious that before the metal portion of the cap 63 contacts the upper end of the container neck, the gasket 6! is well pinched so that the check-valve action will take place. This check-valve action here (as well as in Figs. 1 and 2) is caused by the radial expansion of the flexible gasket fil. In each instance, however, there is a preliminary pinching to make the check-valve action work effectively. After the gasket in Fig. 3, has started sealing by checkvalve action and expansion, the cap 63 can be unscrewed until the gasket fails to seat against the top or the bottom flange of the coacting parts, and the pressure will not escape until this contact with one or the other of these flanges has ceased to be effective. This provides a sealing action that may be made efiective through a large range of relative longitudinal motion of the cap and receptacle after the check-valve action has been made effective first by the pinching of the gasket between the two elements.

The form shown in Fig. 4 has the gasket 8| extending axially of the container C, with one 7 edge of the gasket fitting tightly in a groove 32 of the cap or closure member 83. The container C is provided with an aligned groove 84 adapted to receive loosely the opposite edge of the gasket Bl. The drawing shows the cap 83 only partly applied to the container C. Upon further rotation of the cap ll, the gasket II will be pinched positively and definitely at its opposite edges between the bottoms of the grooves 82 and 84 in inwardly stepped opposed relation on opposite sides of and relative to the crack a. This pinching action on the gasket in an edgewise direction produces an unbalanced pressure thereon due to the building up of pressure on the inner side of the gasket, allowing a radial check-valve action to occur, whereby the space or crack, designated a, betwen the cap and container will be effectively sealed against a leakage of the liquid or pressure therethrough.

In the different forms of the invention illustrated, it will be understood that the gasket is preferably attached to the cap or closure member, either by being adhesively secured thereto as in Figs. 1 to 3, or by being clamped in place therein by a grooved portion of the cap or closure member as in Figs. 3 and 4. This secures the gasket to the cap piece so that it is removed therewith, not remaining on the receptacle, which would be objectionable where the closure is applied to beverage containers. Furthermore, the gasket is confined entirely within the skirt portion of the cap so as to be substantially and entirely concealed therein when the cap is in place on the container.

Although the gasket or sealing ring preferably is attached to the cap or closure member, it should be mounted in position to cover or overlap the adjacent portions of the cap or closure member and its coupled member or container in position for access of the fluid pressure therein against a side of the gasket which is capable of flexing sufficiently to seal over the crack substantially in a check-valve action and prevent leakage therefrom. This sealing action does not depend upon any great pressure being applied to the gasket by the cap or closure member, but it is usually suincient for the cap to be drawn up or closed thereon, even by manual pressure, and it may as easily be released even when there is substantial pressure applied to the inside thereof. The sealing action starts when there is a suflicient coupling to create an unbalanced pressure on opposite sides of the gasket.

The connection between the cap or closure member and its coupled member or container should be a positive interlocking connection capable of adjustment of the cap or closure member relative to its coupled member or container, so as to hold the cap or closure member against being displaced by the pressure in the container, while yet providing for sufiicient adjustment of the pressure on the gasket such that the latter may be drawn up to its seated position capable of sealing the crack between the connected parts.

The gasket or sealing ring is preferably constructed of soft flexible and yieldable material, such as soft rubber or rubber-like material (and even compressed cork, in some instances), that will provide for suflicient yieldability so that the gasket or ring will accommodate itself to the adjacent surface of the coupled parts under the influence of the gas pressure therein when the cap or closure member is drawn up, so as to function as a check-valve in sealing the connection therebetween. This sealing action takes effeet to maintain the contents under pressure even after the cap or closure member has been removed and replaced.

Iclaim:

1. A receptacle for containing beverages under pressure comprising a container having a neck portion, a removable closure having a skirt embracing the neck portion with an adjustable interlocking connection therewith, said closure in closed position having a portion thereof in opposed relation to an adjacent annular portion of the neck with a crack therebetween, and having an upwardly extending face inwardly of said portion, said neck having an annular face inwardly of the upper edge thereof and an annular shoulder below the crack and inwardly thereof, and an annular yieldable gasket secured to the closure inwardly of the crack in position to overlap the crack against the closure and neck faces and engage the annular shoulder upon adjustable interlocking 01' the closure on the neck, said gasket having an inner portion exposed to the fluid pressure in the container to seal the gasket o er the crack.

2. A receptacle for containing beverages under pressure comprising a container having a neck portion, a removable closure having a skirt enclosing the neck portion with a screw-threaded connection therewith for adjustment to closed position on theneck portion, said closure in closed position having an annular portion thereof in opposed relation to the upper edge of the neck portion with a crack therebetween, said closure having a face inwardly of said portion extending upwardly from said crack, said neck portion having an annular face inwardly of the upper edge thereof and extending downwardly from the crack and an annular shoulder below the crack and inwardly thereof, and a flexible substantially yieldable annular sealing ring secured. to the closure inwardly of the crack in position to overlap opposite sides of the crack against the closure and neck faces and engage'the annular shoulder upon adjustment of the closure to closed position on the neck portion, said sealing ring having an inner face opposite from the crack exposed to fluid pressure in the container to seal the ring over the crack under the pressure of said fluid.

3. A receptacle for containing beverages under pressure comprising a container having a neck portion, a removable closure having a skirt embracing the neck and having a screw-threaded connection therewith, said neck having an annular head on the upper edge thereof with an annular shoulder inwardly of the bead and below the upper edge thereof, said closure in closed position having a portion in opposed relation to the bead with a crack therebetween and having an annular recess inwardly of the crack, and an annular yieldable gasket secured in said recess in position to overlap opposite sides of the crack and engage the inner shoulder upon screwing the closure on the neck, said gasket having an inner portion exposed to the fluid pressure in the container to seal the gasket over the crack.

4. In a receptacle for containing high-pressure carbonated beverages and having a neck portion formed by a surrounding wall, said wall having a substantially smooth, uninterrupted and transversely extending end face which forms a drinking surface, said neck portion wall having external integral wedging means arranged and constructed to provide a smooth uninterrupted external wall surface surrounding the end face, and a removable and integral closure cap having a skirt por-,

tion extending longitudinally down the neck portion externally thereof, and said skirt portion having internal interlocking connection with said wedging means for securing the cap to the neck portion, said cap having a portion in opposed relation with the end face with a crack between said opposed portion and end face in closed posisite sides of the crack between said end face and I the adjacent opposed portion of the cap inwardly of said cap in closed position, and said cap and neck having opposed surfaces in inward stepped relation to said facing portions of the cap and neck respectively pinching the gasket therebetween, whereby pressure inside the receptacle causes the pinched ring to be pressed tightly over said crack and seal the receptacle and cap against the leakage of liquid under any pressure that the receptacle and cap can stand without disintegration.

5. In a bottle for containing high-pressure carbonated beverages for individual consumption and having a neck portion formed by a surrounding wall, said wall having a substantially smooth uninterrupted and transversely extending end face which forms a drinking surface, said neck portion wall having external integral screw threads arranged and constructed to provide a substantially smooth uninterrupted external wall surface surrounding the end face and adjacent thereto,

and a removable and integral closure cap having a skirt protion extending longitudinally down the neck portion externally thereof, and said skirt portion being internally threaded in interlocking engagement with the externally threaded neck portion for securing the cap on said neck portion, said cap having a portion in opposed relation with the end face with a crack between said opposed portion and end face in closed position of the cap, and a substantially annular yieldable sealing ring inside the cap and secured thereto for removal with said cap, said sealing ring being arranged in spanning relation over opposite sides of the crack between said end face and the adjacent opposed portion of the cap inwardly of said cap in closed position, and said cap and neck having opposed surfaces in inward stepped relation to said facing portions of the cap and neck respectively pinching the gasket therebetween, whereby pressure inside the bottle causes the pinched ring to be pressed tightly over said crack and seal the bottle and cap against the leakage of liquid under any pressure that the bottle and cap can stand without disintegration.

HUGH W. SANFORD. 

